March 10, 2007
U.K.

Park authority objects to wind turbines plan

Opponents of plans to build two wind turbines on the edge of Exmoor have welcomed the Exmoor National Park Authority’s decision to object to the scheme.

The proposal is to build two 100m (328ft) tall turbines at Cross Moor, Knowstone, near South Molton.

Applicants Cross Moor Devon Light and Power claim that the turbines would generate enough power to meet the electricity needs of 2,795 homes.

But the Exmoor National Park Authority (ENPA) planning committee has followed a recommendation from planning officers to object to the scheme on the grounds that the development would have an adverse impact on the landscape, setting and special qualities of the National Park.

David Wyborn, the National Park’s head of planning and community, pointed out that the two turbines would be more prominent and have a greater impact on Exmoor than the nine turbines proposed for Batsworthy Cross, which the park authority had already objected to. He said: “With the Cross Moor proposals the setting of the National Park would be affected adversely both looking towards Exmoor from distant views and looking out from the higher Moorland across the panoramic views towards Dartmoor.”

Members of the Two Moors Campaign, which was formed to object to the Batsworthy Cross proposal, congratulated ENPA on its decision.

Campaign group member and local resident David Morgans said: “We are very pleased with this decision, we don’t want to be surrounded by these monsters, Exmoor is a special place and needs to be protected from industrialisation.”

The ENPA decision has also been welcomed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE).

The matter will be determined by North Devon District Council once all consultations are completed.

westernmorningnews.co.uk

9 March 2007


URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2007/03/10/park-authority-objects-to-wind-turbines-plan/